Jaipur: Rajasthan health minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar Wednesday ordered an inquiry after four vials of a high-cost cancer drug supplied free to Bikaner’s govt cancer hospital were allegedly recovered from Delhi’s black market.The action follows reports that Delhi Police Crime Branch arrested four people Tuesday and seized 22 vials of oncology and immunotherapy drugs worth lakhs of rupees, including Darzalex, Imfinzi, Erbitux, Bavencio, Adcetris and Keytruda.A health department official said four of the seized vials were Bavencio (avelumab) 200 mg/10 ml, meant for treating serious cancer patients at Acharya Tulsi Regional Cancer Treatment and Research Institute in Bikaner, attached to the govt-run SP Medical College.Khimsar directed officials to examine the full supply chain, including Rajasthan Medical Services Corporation Ltd supply records, stock registers, indents, dispatch details and hospital-level distribution records.He said strict action would be taken under rules if the inquiry found irregularities, negligence or collusion at any stage in the supply or handling of govt medicines.Officials claimed govt regularly monitors availability and safe use of expensive drugs used to treat serious illnesses such as cancer.SP Medical College initiated an inquiry through its attached PBM Hospital.“PBM hospital superintendent has formed a committee in this matter. Once the investigation is completed, only then we will be able to talk about the factual report,” Dr Surendra Verma, principal and controller, SP Medical College, told TOI.SP Medical College also examined details of four arrests and found that none of the accused was linked to the college or its attached hospital.
